Join the Cairns Children's Festival celebration this weekend with dozens of free shows, performances, activities and stories for families across three venues in and around the city.
There's plenty of fun for children, including taking part in playful theatre with giant performing ants, learning to fold tiny origami butterflies, and even the chance to perform live on stage.
The free fun starts Saturday at The Court House and Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) with dress-ups, art activities and interactive theatre performances.
CPAC is also hosting two ticketed shows for families that feature lasers, puppetry and animation: Zooom and Lucky and the Flight of the Sky Puppies, a new production starring young local actor, Agnes Bani, from Cairns West State School.
On Sunday, the Festival moves to Collins Avenue in Edge Hill for a jam-packed day of all-free entertainment, activities and arts at Tanks Arts Centre, including Tinkering Tank, Five-Minutes of Fame Stage, Ngamumu infant zone, Cairns Minecraft live build battle, First 5 Forever Story Walk, screenPLAY, Ants by Polyglot Theatre and new shows.
Division 6 Councillor Kristy Vallely said there was something for every little person and their family to see and do at Cairns Children's Festival.
"Whether your child is a newborn, a gamer, a bookworm or an aspiring young performer, there is something for everyone at Cairns Children's Festival," Cr Vallely said.
"Children will find an exciting world of imaginative, creative play and adventure at The Court House, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns Botanic Gardens and CPAC."
"The Festival also showcases and celebrates the emerging talent of our kids as artists, explorers and young performers."
Cairns Children's Festival program highlights include:
- Interactive theatre by Polyglot featuring GIANT ANTS
- Tinkering Tank – Me and My Shadow
- Free shows in Tank 3 and Tank 5: Brat Kids Carnival and Dee Rocks the Tank
- Insect-themed art exhibition Insects Rule,
- ScreenPLAY short films by the children of Cairns
- Five Minutes of Fame Stage
- Babies and infants creative and cultural space, Ngamumu (the Infant Zone).
